Labour leadership hustings descends into chaos as candidates clash over Jeremy Corbyn
THE LABOUR deputy leadership hustings in Leeds descended into chaos when candidates Richard Burgon and Dawn Butler clashed furiously over their support for outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Labour leadership: Deputy candidates clash over Jeremy Corbyn
The Labour Party held Deputy Leadership hustings in Leeds yesterday, where candidate directly addressed potential voters. However, at one point, the event descended into chaos as Richard Burgon and Dawn Butler began to argue over their support of outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Mr Burgon, trying to differentiate himself from the other candidates, said: “I never resigned from the shadow cabinet.
“I am the only deputy leader candidate who backed Jeremy from the start of the leadership elections and I never resigned.”
At this point, Ms Butler cut in to interject that she had as well.
However, the Shadow Justice Secretary pointed out that she had nominated Mr Corbyn, but supported his 2015 rival, Andy Burnham.
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He continued: “I am proud to be on the left, I’m proud to be the secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group for Labour MPs.
“But whoever is elected leader, I will never do red-on-red attacks on the TV because we all need to work together to get back into Government.”
Ms Butler shot back: “I’m going to have to come back on this.
“Yes, I was supporting Andy Burnham before Jeremy put his hat in the ring.”
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She added: “When Jeremy put his hat in the ring, I said ‘yes, Jeremy’s voice needed to be heard in the leadership election’ so I nominated him.
“I supported Jeremy Corbyn because I’m against austerity, I am an anti-austerity, socialist, trade union activist.”
Both Ms Butler and Mr Burgon have come under fire for not signed up to a series of pledges proposed by the Board of Deputies of British Jews in an attempt to combat anti-Semitism in the party.
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The race to succeed Mr Corbyn is down to four after Jess Phillips quit.
Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer and Wigan MP Lisa Nandy have made it on the final leadership ballot, after securing the necessary trade union and affiliated group support.
Emily Thornberry and Rebecca Long-Bailey have yet to reach the threshold.
Ms Phillips said she would be happy with either Ms Nandy or Sir Keir as leader.
However, she argued that Mrs Long-Bailey would be the wrong choice for Labour at this moment.